Swanstone Shower Wall Kit
|Swanstone Shower Wall Kit – Choosing the best shower or bathtub wall surround can be tough. Should you install acrylic, a solid surface material like Swanstone, or use decorative tiles? Will the caliber of these products stand quality of your energy? Which one is the foremost match for your budget and tastes? Learn 7 practical steps to determine which wall system is most effective for you.
Step 1 – Determine if you’d like to go over your existing walls – To save money it’s nice to position a bathtub or shower wall surround over a current surface. It is possible to use specialized glue or butyl tape to adhere acrylic or Swanstone solid surface materials over existing tile providing the actual walls are certainly not spongy or bowed. If you have a plastic or fiberglass system it’s not possible to position new walls over your existing materials. In these cases the actual system will have to removed, new backerboard installed and after that new walls put up.
Step 2 – Think through your budget- If you’re similar to most you want to get the most value for your money – a high quality material which won’t hurt your wallet. If you are considering a fairly easy to completely clean affordable material acrylic is an excellent choice. It is warm to the touch, installs quickly and features a lifetime warranty.
For an even more elegant appearance (which is for sale in more decorative patterns and fashoins) think about a Swanstone solid surface wall. Swanstone is simple to take care of, doesn’t have joints to grout or seal and will come in a wide variety of choices. Usually the priciest method is tile (unless you are able to set it up yourself and save the labor hours- tile is regarded as the frustrating to put in vs. sheet items like acrylic & Swanstone). There are limitless choices and price ranges of tile also it creates a sophisticated look at the same time.
Step 3 – Select your material, designs, colors and accents you need – After you’ve selected between acrylic, Swanstone and tile you’re ready choose your design and color(s). Acrylic wall surrounds can be found in a multitude of colors, patterns and finishes. There are solid, granite, metallic plus marble finishes. In addition the walls you select may be smooth, 4″ x 4″ simulated tiles, 8″ x 10″ simulated tiles or maybe a stone look. Acrylic is no longer just a white smooth faced wall.
Swanstone, while it has become famous for it’s strength, color and texture consistent, grout-free quality, and also the fact it won’t crack or craze – features a very broad range of decorative options at the same time. There are over 45 standard, high shine, and granite colors. In addition there are decorative panels to make unique architectural designs named Pebble, Geometric, Beadboard, Tangier and Barcelona. There are also designer trim pieces and rosettes to generate a finished look. Tile provides the widest product options when it comes to color, accents, borders, sizes and thicknesses. Make sure to get a high density water repellent tile for your bath or shower.
Step 4 -Choose your backerboard. Select material to adhere the wall material and in the truth of tile finish the eye in the wall- What you don’t see inside a bathtub or shower wall panel project will be as important as whatever you do see. Use the right material(s) behind the wall. Here are some recommendations: Acrylic – If the tile walls will be in good condition install over them by adhering the acrylic with butyl tape and color match sealant. This will save the landfill costs, lessen the project installation some time to save money. If the existing wall can not be installed over put up moisture resistant green board or perhaps a cement backer board. Swanstone – Like acrylic if your tile is good structural shape install on the existing. If not, Swanstone may be installed over greenboard or perhaps a cement board using special glue.
Tile – Poorly done tile installations have caused a great deal of wasted money historically (cheap backer board has been used, poor grouting jobs, poor be employed in the corners are just a few in the problems). For tile installations never use green board – use either a water repellent cement board or perhaps a waterproof extruded polystyrene board like this created from Wedi Corporation. These boards must be glued and screwed for your framing. In addition to while using the right backer board consider investing inside a urethane grout. This type of grout won’t need to be resealed and it is waterproof. Although it costs more up front it is going to save money later on in the need to regrout, or worse yet the need to redo the shower in case you have any water damage.
Step 5 – Fix what’s behind the wall – The best time to solve an inadequate performing shower valve, a shower head which is too low, as well as to add backer material to bolster setting up your accessories occurs when you have the wall showed.
Step 6 – Identify the tub tub and shower accessories you want to add function and style for your project – Have you always wanted a leg ledge for shaving, a large part seat, a curved shower rod to help keep the river in, a hand held shower, a large part caddy, a frameless shower door, shampoo or soap niche or perhaps a grab bar? When you’re installing new wall surrounds is the ideal time to accessorize your bath or shower making it be right for you and your family.
Step 7 – If the process sounds too difficult call a good contractor that isn’t a “one size fits all” – Let’s face it, there are a lot of choices and installation details that need to be done properly to ensure a successful project. Calling a specialist could possibly be more costly in the short term but help you save long-term costs. Make sure to select a contractor that doesn’t try to push you in to the wedding party shower or bath wall surround system you can purchase (such as a company selling acrylic systems pushes that one solution for you). Look for a company skilled and competent in multiple systems which will aim to understand your needs, budgets and tastes and still provide different options.
Know you’re furnished with 7 steps which will be the good outline to plan your acrylic, Swanstone or tile bathtub or shower wall surround installation.